Global leader in sustainability
Ambitions for 2005
17 Rabobank Group Annual Report 2004
Strategy
Embedding sustainability
Apart from being the uncontested number 1 in food &agri, Rabobank
also wishes to be seen worldwide as a leader in sustainable entrepre
neurship. This ambition perfectly complements the bank's identity and
social positioning. Rabobank plans to further integrate its corporate
social responsibility (CSR) policy in its day-to-day activities in order to
achieve that goal. This includes:
implementing relevant CSR criteria in regular loan granting processes
and other services;
consolidating and, where possible, extending its market share in
sustainable financial products, such as green funds and green bonds,
and participating in the trade in C02 and NOx emission rights;
improving sustainable operations;
stimulating the possibility for social engagement by Rabobank staff.
Rabobank Development Program
In addition, the Rabobank Development Program (RDP) was set up in
2004 to help foreign loan cooperatives in a limited number of develo
ping countries to grow into fully-fledged cooperative banks. This invol
vement is being embodied in financial participation in and hands-on
support to the institutions concerned, using Rabobank's unique expe
rience in this field. This is done from the firm belief that cooperatives
can make an important contribution towards the economic develop
ment of the countries concerned and to the financial emancipation of
their inhabitants.
In 2005 the local Rabobanks will continue to merge at a rapid pace, in
line with the 'Rabobank Vision 2005+' policy statement. Further upscaling
and enhancement of the professionalism and expertise of the local
banks should lead, among other things, to a stronger position in the
upper segment of the private individuals and corporate markets. In 2005,
the support provided by Rabobank Nederland to the local banks will be
further adapted to meet the changing needs that this upscaling will
entail. For that purpose, Operation Service was launched in the year
under review. This operation is set to result in streamlined support
activities, involving a reduction of 1,200 job positions.
In addition, a study will be conducted together with Eureko/Achmea
into how the ambitions for growth in insurance can be defined further.
Internationally, sizeable investments will be made in the growth of
services provided to food agri clients. Furthermore, interesting
candidates for acquisition will be actively sought in emerging countries
with a high food agri potential.
The Rabobank Development Program is expected to make its first
investment in cooperative loan institutions in developing countries.
This will put into practice Rabobank's belief that it can make an important
contribution to the economic development of these countries.
The RDP will work closely with the Rabobank Foundation, which has
been supporting numerous projects in developing countries for over 30
years, aimed at making the local population economically independent.